I wrote yesterday about the structure of a vlog which one guy (Itz SKY) who I follow on YouTube gave as the standard structure used in television shows which is standard and should be used in your vlogs.
I had previously read up and researched how Casey Neistat did it and want to try to reconcile both ways because I think there is a good deal of common ground between them.
Yesterday, I wrote about HIVE (hook, introduction, value and end) as a good way to remember this structure.
Looking back at my notes I see that Neistat sees the vlog not as a day in the life journal type video; he wants to tell a story about one part of his life.
This involves the classic three act structure:
- Set up (starting point)
- Conflict (challenge)
- Resolution (outcome/goal)
This is not a journal. Could he find a 3 act narrative to share every day?
The goal might be to visit a new location, learn a new skill, give an opinion on a product/service.
He used an equal amount of handheld and fixed/locked off shots.
Timelapse and/or drone footage serves two purposes:
- To transition from one act to another
- To give context and show the viewer a broader view of what is taking place and where it is happening
Neistat’s structure from a shot perspective:
- Establishing shot (drone/timelapse)
- Locked shot to set up the story and set the scene
- Action shot (hand held)
- Abrupt end
This structure is close to the other guy’s (ITZ SKY), save for the hook and perhaps the emphasis on story. Neistat’s emphasis is on story, the other guy seems satisfied with a day in the life/journal type vlog.